WGV will be a Waterwise Development

The WGV at White Gum Valley residential development has been recognised for its innovative water-saving initiatives, earning the Water Corporation’s Waterwise Development endorsement. Owned by LandCorp, the estate is set to be the most water-efficient Waterwise Development in Western Australia.

WGV is located 3 km from the heart of Fremantle on a 2 ha site, previously home to the former Kim Beazley School. The redevelopment of the site into a sustainable community is in line with government policy to provide diverse housing options and optimise the use of existing infrastructure while catering for ongoing population growth in metropolitan Perth.

Water-saving initiatives at WGV are the result of the collaborative efforts of LandCorp, the Water Corporation and Josh Byrne & Associates, working with the Department of Water, the Urban Development Institute of Australia, the City of Fremantle and the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities. It is expected the precinct’s water- and energy-saving initiatives will reduce residents’ bills by up to $1200 every year.

“The approach to water saving at WGV focused on maximising natural resources, implementing water-sensitive urban design and applying efficiency measures,” said LandCorp Chief Executive Frank Marra.

“By taking a comprehensive approach to maximising the use of all water at WGV, the development will achieve a 70% reduction in water use for single residential dwellings, compared with an average Perth household.

“Key initiatives to drive this reduction include a unique community bore irrigation system, integrated stormwater management and rainwater harvesting systems, and the use of water-efficient fixtures and appliances, real-time monitoring and low water-use landscaping.”

Water Corporation CEO Sue Murphy said the Waterwise Development Program acknowledges the important role of the development sector to build water-wise communities.

“Perth residents have done extremely well in reducing their water use over the past decade; however, with an extremely dry winter and a forecast dry spring and summer ahead, we need to continue our efforts to be water-wise,” she explained.

“Every drop of water at WGV will be treated like the precious resource it is, and I look forward to visiting the development when it is completed and seeing its water-wise efforts first-hand.”